Industrial truck



April 16, 1929? R. T. ROMINE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed March 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet I \i\/E l:1

BY QQ WwJQ -C3 ATTURNEYS- April 16, 1929. R. T. ROMINE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed March 2, 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet N NT R= RM T WL WICLQWLIGWLMLPML C3 ATTEIFQNEYE:

April 16, 1929. RQMINE 1,709,741

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed March 2, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 2, 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z r K m 6 a 1 w 2M a m 11 2 m 1 1 M 1 1, 6 1 P w i 1 a a w a 6 a ax 20 m 11 1m 1 1 4 4m PEP} INVEN EJP h I. RO'YYML.

3 TT RN Y?- Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES ROBERT T. ROMINE, OF MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

Application filed March 2, 1927.

This invention relates to industrial trucks and more particularly to that class having a relatively low load elevating or lift platform adapted to be inserted or propelled beneath a loaded portable platform for elevating the same, and thereafter transporting the plat.- form with its load to a predctcrmiuml point of delivery.

Trucks of this distinct type in the art are illustrated, for instance, in the patent to 'lowson No. 1,2 3,824, granted July 17, 1927. This type of truck is characterized not only by its relatively low platform, usually of the elevating or lift type but by the concentration of the greater portion of the load direct- ]y upon relatively small wheels :u'ranged beneath or underneath the platform. which wheels are ordinarily dirigible for the purpose of steering the truck. Another characteristic. feature of the truck is the arrangement of the traction or driving wheels at the rear of the main frame upon which an upright battery housing is usually mounted. Heretofore many difficulties have been experienced in the operation of trucks of this character where the load is concentrated upon a. pair of small dirigiblc load supporting wheels underneath the platforn'i. \Vhon run under heavy load on factory floors or freight car floors the load wheels often break through the flooring. tilt the truck, raising the driving wheels slightly from the ground and destroying their drivingengagement with the ground, or to tip the load sidewise off onto the ground. These difficulties have limited materially the truck capacity and have restricted their field of usefulness to a considerable extent.

An objectof this invent-ion is to provide a power driven truck of the foregoin type ha ving a load elevating or lift platform and operating mechanism therefor capable of lifting and transporting heavy loads. such as five to ten tons, and loads of even greater weight. and in which the truck is provided with a multiple number of wheels, spaced longitudinally of the truck beneath the load elevating platform capable of widely distributing the weight of the load and capable of relative vertical articulation beneath the lift platform.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the longitudinally spaced wheels so that they are carried upon a rocking carricr or men'lbcrs and, if the latter, with the members united to form a unit. Furthermore, the

The load tends frequently to Serial No. 172,165.

rocking carrier, which may be termed a subframe, is preferably mounted so that its axis of rocking movement is substantially fixed with relation to the forwardly extending main frame of the truck thus insuring a. substan while maintaining the l ft platform suhstan-' tially level, thus minimizing the danger of the load becoming displaced or falling off the platform. Furthermore the load is widely distributed by means of longitudinally spaced small diameter wheels facilitating steering of the truck and enabling a truck of capacity such as ten tons to be operated and steered with case even under capacity loads.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an industrial truck of the load elevating platform type embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the load elevating platform in raised position. i

Fig. 3 is a plan view partly broken away of the constrmrtion shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the chassis and sub-frame taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 4; is a diagrannnatic view illustrating the steering adaptability of the truck in the aisles of a factory.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the manner in which the load carrying wheels and driving wheels are steered.

Fig. (5 is a fragmentary transverse section showing the rear end transmission for the driving wheels.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a. manner in which the pairs of load elevating wheels may be constrm'ted.

Before exi ilaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended as considered in view of the prior art and the requirements thereof.

Referring to the drawings, wherein l have illustrated a present preferredv form of my invention, the trucl is provided with a relatively low frame having a fom a rdl v projecting load supporting extension. The truck. is provided at its rear end with a pair of driving Wheels 11 mounted on the main frame portion. Extending upwardly from the rear end or main portion of the frame 10 is a suitable housing or frame structure designated. in general at 16 forming a platform support for a. housing or casing 1-8 within which are carried the batteries for the motor. A motor 20 is supported beneath the battery e: ng or housing 18 and is connected by mechanisn'i hereinafter described to the driving wheels 11 for the purpose of driving the same.

A. l ad elevatingplatform 2% extends ton wardlfv from the frame structure ill above the front load supporting frame extension. and is pivotally attached thereto at its forward end by means of a, link frame-in any suitable manner such. as by pins ann brackets indicated at 25. The rear end of the load clevating platform 24 is connected to the frame as vell as to a motor 4-2 by means of a toggle mechanism. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 this toggle mechanism in the present instance comprises a pair of links attached at their lower ends to plates 31 by means of pivot pins 32. The plates 31 are attached to the side bars ofthe chassis 10 and depend therefrom. The upper ends of the links 30 are pivotally connected to the elevating platform 24.- by means of a transverse bar 33 which is secured to suitable brackets depending from the under side of the platform. Located intermediate the chassis side bars is a second link frame 35 connected at its upper end by means oft-he pivot bar 33 to the platform, and at its lower end pivoted to a linlz frame 36 intermediate the ends of the atte". he lint: frame 36-is pivotedv at one end thereof to the chassis side bars by a transverse bar and at its opposite end is pivotally attached to a threaded rod or ram 38.

Mounted on the ram 38 is a worm gear 39, the hub of which comprises a nut engaging the threads formed on the ram or shaft- 38. The worm gear 39 is driven by a worm 40 and the latter is mounted on the shaft of an elec trical motor 42. This motor 1-2 is electrically connected to the battery within the housing moomii l8 and is controlled '5 suitable mechanism at therear or operators end of the truck.

W hen the rod or rain 38 is retracted or drawn iu iwardly to operate the toggle mech anism, the elevating platform 2 is raised from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in, Figure 2, and hence the rain 38 will have a swinging movement. The .i'notor 4:2, worm gear, etc. are accordingly mounted in a. easi g lil which may be pivotallv mounted at 44 (see Fig. 1) to permit the ram. to swing.

The truck is propelled by means of the moto" 20 which is operatively connected to the .ng wheels 11. The driving mechanism for thesewheels is shown in Fig. 6 and comprises in general a orin 81 mounted on the n'iotor shaft which meshes vith a worm gear 82, the latter d: ring av shaft through the 'uui of worm differential gears 83', the shaft S-jl: being connected to the wheel spindle 83 through the medium of a universal joint. The spindle S6 is drivingly connected to the end of the spindle 8G and to the hub of the flue sleeve 88 may be mounted upon the gear and shaft housing 3:), while the latter is secured tothe chassis un ted beneath the load elevating platform 2-11- are number of load carrying wheels of relatively small diameter and having each a relatively wide bearing surface. In the present instance. four dual load carrying wheels are mounted beneath the load clevoting platform, these wheels being arrangel'l in pairs spaced longitmilinally of the truck and cr'mstructed to distribute the weight of the load over a considerable surface. These load ca I ing wheels comprise, in the present en'ibodii. out of the invention, pair of for ward wheels 6. 6 and 7, '7. and a pair of wheels 9/. 8 and i), 9, in rear 'liliereof. All of the loa d carrying wheels in the present preferrml form of the invention are mounted so as to turn relative to the ciias-isis about a common turning center, an d these wheels are carried bv carrier or sub frame 3.

As shown in Fig. 3 the chassis side bars 10 converge toward each other at the forward end of the truck bene th the platform whereby the upper poi ions of the several load carrying wheels may be mounted between the vertical. side flanges 2 s of the elevati platform and the chassis side bars, thus providing an extremely low drop of the elevating platform. 7

The load wheels are moimtc-rlv for rocking movement upon a carrier which in the present instancetahesthe form of a rocking sub-frame S comprising an integral spider-like construction including a central hub or'housing 21 through which extends a transverse bar or shaft 23 supported by depending brackets 22 secured to the opposite sides of the chassis frame 10. In this manner, the subframe S is pivotally connected with the chassis. The sub-frame also includes a forward hub or axle member 121 and a rear hub or axle memher 221 through which fixed shafts 200 and 205 respectively, extend. The intermediate or central pivoted portion 21 of the subframe is in the present instance connected to the axle members 121 and 221 preferably by means of pairs of diverging arms 321. These arms extend beneath the frame sills 10 and are so constructed and arranged with relation to the sills that they will not engage the sills when the sub-frame rocks about the pivot 23, as will beseen from Fig. 3.

The lift platform is supported and operated to overlie in lowered position the frame sills in close proximity thereto, preferably to rest thereupon, and to be elevated to a predetermined position above the sills, depencling upon the height of lift required. The sub-frame is so constructed and pivotally mounted on the sills as to permit rocking movement thereof and a substantial range of vertical articulation of the load wheels beneath the lift platform in any position of the platform which is an important advantage in transporting a load when the platform is down, i. e. in its lowest position.

In the present instance where the invention has been embodied in a truck of ten ton capacity, the sills 10 comprise spaced structural steel channels having relatively wide vertically disposed central webs 10 and horizon- ,tal stiffening flanges 10". The axle members 121 and 221 may each extend underneath the lower flanges 10 of the sills and in rear of the forward end thereof. Preferably they are spaced beneath or below the bottom horizontal plane of the load supporting sills so as to permit a predetermined range of rocking movement of the sub frame. 1n the present instance the axle or hub members 121, and 221 may be provided with cut-away recesses or the like 121 and 221 whereby a maximum rocking movement may be obtained while preventing binding engagement of the load wheels with the bottom of the platform when down. In addition, greater strength may be obtained by virtue of the shafts 200 and 205 extending through the axle or hub members.

In the present instance each wheel structure preferably comprises a pair of independently rotatable sub-wheels 6, 6; 7, 7; 8, 8 and 9, 9 This constriurtion enables the truck when carrying heavy loads such ten tons to be turned by means of the steering mechanism on a short radius while minimizing any binding or. skidding effect between the tire and the floor or ground. The construction therefore enables a load to be widely distributed by the means of wheels each of which turns on a separate radius in which the vertical turning axis of the knuckle or whcelaxle is fixed with relation to the load.

Referring to Fig. 7, I have illustrated a manner of: mounting the several load carrying wheels and their respective sub-wheels, each wheel being preferably identical in construction. The sub-wheels 6 and (5 comprise outer tire treads fixed to annular steel rims 100 and 100 respectively, each of which revolves freely and iiulepemlently on a cylin drical hub or drum 101. The rims 100 and 100 may be mounted in aoutting relation and the inner rim 100 is held against lateral displacement by means of an annular flange 10-1. A ring 102 is bolted at 102 at the outer edge of the drum or hearing 101 and is provided with a flange 102 which confines the outer edge of the rim preventing lateral displacement thereof.

The ends of arch of the shafts 200 and 205 which project beyond the ends of the subframe hubs or axle members are tapped to provide a vertical hole through which is threaded a pin 12. The pin 12 is rigidly fixed within the tapped hole in the end of the shaft 205 by means 0 f a bolt 200 which clamps the split portions of the shaft onto the pin 12. The pin 12 rests upon a ball bearing 12 supported by the knuckle sleeve 105, the latter being free to turn about the axis of the pin 12. The drum 101 provided with a central hub 101 mounted on the knuckle and between the axle portion105 of the knuckle and this hub are interposed suitable tapered roller bearings 106. These parts are held .in position by means of a nut 105". To the outer face of the hub is secured, by means of screws 103, a cap 103. To the knuckle 105 of each of the load carrying wheels is secured beneath the end of the shaft- 205, one of the steering arms 17, 53 or 4-9, hereinafter described. From this construction it will be seen that each load wheel structure may be turned when steering the truck about the fixed vertical axis of the pin 12, and each wheel is free to revolve on the projecting axle portion of the knuckle.

It will. also be noted that each knuckle with the steering arm 52 (47, 53 and 49) is located interiorly of the drum close to the central vertical axis of the drum passing through the center of gravity thereof. Each outer sub-wheel tread 0, 7, S and 9 is wider than the inner sub whecl tread (3, 7, C and 9, so that the weight of the load on each wheel will be centered on the outer wider tread. The foregoin construction provides a powerful leverage for turning each twin wheel structure which is an important factor in enabling the load carrying wheels to be turned on a short radius without binding on the floor, irrespective of the weight of the load.

The several steering knuckles 105 which turn about the vertical arc-es 12 are therefore journalled to the projecting portions of the fixed shafts.

Mounted on these knuckles is a steering arm 46 for the Wheels 6 and 6" and a steering arm 4:7 for the Wheels 7 and 7 A steeringarm 48 is mounted on the knuckles for the wheels 8 and 8', and a steering; arm ll) is corresaiondingly provided for the Wheels 9 and 9. The steering arms 46 and at? are connected by a. transverse rod 50, and the steering arms l8 and t!) are connected by a transverse rod 51. The steering arm 4:6 is provided with an oliset arm portion 52, and the steering arm d8 is provided with an ol'l'set arm 53, these ojllsct portions being); pivotally joined together by means of a connecting rod 54:. The rod. is connected to a ream Wardly extending; rod by means of a ball joint 1. This rod. terminates adjacent the rear or oriving end or the truck and. is suitably connected to-an arm 56 mounted adjacent the lower end of a vertically e riding); steer ing post The steering post or at its 11 7 1131 end is connected to a horizontally extending stud shaft 58 (see lligr. l), and this shaft is operated through the medium of reduction gearing (not shown) by means of a steering Wheel 5.

The rear or driving Wheels ii are also mounted on steering knuckles 13 so to turn relative to the chassis 'lrame. the axle spindles of the driving Wheels ll are steering arms 59 and 60, which are con nected topciiln-ir by means of a transverse rod or link 61. The arm is provided with an o'l'l'set arm 62 which is connected to the steering; post 57 by means of a link 63 and an arm (Set, as shown in Fig. 5.

The steirine: arms of the load carrying Wheels and the driving Wheels are constructed of varying: lengths whereby the steering n'icchai'iism m a y be opera ted to cause all of the Wheels to turn simultaneously about a common turning center or locus '4'0 (see Figs. 4: and The turning; center at all ti lies in a line 71 otizteni'ling at right angles to the central longitudinal and this locus line 71 extends in tcrlnedia to l he normal axles of the front or driving; Wheels 11 and the intermcdi sets of Wheels 8, 8, 9 and 9", and as a result of this construction an extremely short turning radius may be obtained, as shown in Fig. 4:.

This a 'iplication is a, continuation in part of my allowed application Serial. No. 118,584, for industrial truck, filed June 1926 and involved in interference proceed ngs at the time of issue of the ni'cscnt application. lln the said earlier application the broad. association of elements, including the rocking sub-frame structure in a truck of the foregoing type is claimed, and therefore no claim is made thereto broadly in the present application, which is mainly directed to particu- Connccted to axis 72 of the truck,

or rocking sub-frame features together with a particular relation of the sub-frame and its load Wheels to the truck frame. It will, however, be understood that the design of the subframe may be varied and that the axle members, for instance, may be oined to the intermediate sub-frame portion in a different manner, within the scope of the claims. 0 her changes may of course be made With in the spirit ofthe invention, as claimed, to satis'ly dilllercnt requirements of use or of load capacity.

l l hat I claim is:

1. In an industrial lift truck having a 'lran'ie comprising a main. portion and power driven Wheels at one end and a loa d supporting; frame portion extending forwardly adaccnt the ground, a lift plat form surmount ingr said frame portion, longitudinally spaced pairs of dirigihle load Wheels of relatively small 'lian'ietei. and Wide tread beneath said platform, a rocking sub-frame, means having lcimncction with said frame portion for mounting said sub-frame to rock about a transverse axis, said suh-fran'ie comprising an i1prn'iediute member and transverse axle members joined intermediate their ends by said intermediate member and having portions extending; beyond opposite sides of said frame portion and being' free to move vertically, a: steering pivot mounted a t the end of each axle member intcriorly of the load wheel for supportino the Wheel. to move vertically with the axle member and for permitting the wheel to turn about an indcpend out vertical axis.

2. In an imlustrial lift truck, a main frame at one end, driviu Wheels supporting the same, said main frame having a substantially narrower load supporting frame portion extending}; forwardly adjacent the ground, a, lift platform surn'iounting said load supporting frame portion, a rocking, sub-frame said suh frarnie comprising a contra l member exten ding below said frame/pow tion and a pair of transverse axle members connected to opposite ends of the central member andmctendiup; transversely of said frame portion, a transverse .ft substantially shin-tor than. said: axle i'iien'ibers having a fixed connection with said frame portion and carrying; said central sub-frame memher for rocking movement, and longitudinally seaccd pairs of diri 'iblo load. Wheels of relatively sn'iall diameter *arricd at the ends of said E'UXlO members beneath said lift platform and at the outer sides of said load s1ipportinp, frame portion.

3. In an industrial power driven truck, a frame comprising main portion. at one end and a load supporting frame portion extend forwardly adjacent the ground, a lift platform smi'mounting said frame portion, longitudinally spaced pairs of dirigible load Wheels of relatively. small diameter and Wide Cit tread disposed beneath the platform, a rocking sub-frame carrying said lead wheels and having a central portion mounted to rock about a pivot having a connection with said frame portion to provide a fixed range of lifting movement of the platform, said sub-frame also including transverse load wheel supporting members in front and rear of the pivot and connected to said central portion, said sub-frame and frame portion having cooperating portions providing a fixed range of rocking movement of the sub-frame about its pivot and a fixed range of vertical movement of the load wheels beneath the lift platform.

In an industrial lift truck, a frame comprising a main portion and a load supporting portion including sills extending forwardly adjacent the ground, a lift platform sin-mounting said sills, a sub-frame comprising an intermediate frame portion pivoted to the sills and a pair of transverse axle members connected to opposite ends of said frame portion, load wheels of relatively small diameter mounted at opposite ends of said axle members, said axle members extending beyond opposite sides of the sills and said subframe having portions adapted to cooperate with the sills to permit a fixed range of rocking movement of the sub-frame while pre venting engagement of the load wheels with said platform.

5. In an industrial truck, a frame comprising a main portion at one end and a forwardly extending load supporting portion including a sill structure extending forwardly adjacent the ground, a load supporting platform surmounting said sill structure, power driven wheels supporting the main frame portion, a sub-frame comprising a central portion pivoted to the sill structure and a pair of transverse axle members mounted at opposite ends of said central portion and extending beneath the sill structure and beyond opposite sides thereof, dirigible load sup porting wheels of relatively small diameter mounted adjacent the ends of said axle members, said load wheels being spaced longitudinally of the frame and disposed at opposite outer sides of the sill structure, and said axle members being spaced beneath the sill structure to permit predetermined rocking movement of the sub-frame about its pivot.

6. In an industrial truck, a frame comprising a main portion at one end and a forwardly extending load supporting portion including parallel sills extending forwardly adjacent the ground, a load supporting platform surmounting said sills, power driven wheels supporting the main frame portion, a subframe comprising a central portion pivoted to the sills, and a pair of transverse axle members mounted at opposite ends of said central portion and extending beneath the sills and beyond opposite sides thereof, dirigible load supporting wheels of relatively small diameter mounted adjacent the ends of said axle members, said lead wheels being spaced longitudinally of the frame and disposed at opposite outer sides of the sills, said axle members having spaces beneath the sills to permit predetermined rocking movement of the sub-frame about its pivot while preventing engagement of the load wheels with said platform.

7. In an industrial truck, a frame comprising a main portion at one end and a forwardly extending load supporting portion including parallel sills extending fm'wardly adjacent the ground, a load supporting platform surmounting said sills, power driven wheels supporting the main frame port-ion, a subframe comprising a central portion pivoted to the sills, and a pair of transverse axle members mounted at opposite ends of said central portion and extending transversely of the sills and beyond opposite sides thereof, a shaft extending through each axle member, dirigible load supporting wheels of relatively small diameter mounted adjacent the ends of said shaft, said load wheels being spaced longitudinally of the frame and disposed at opposite outer sides of the sills, said axle members having spaces beneath the sills to permit predetermined rocking movement of the sub-frame about its pivot while preventing engagement of theload wheels with said platform.

8. In an. industrial truck, the combination of a low mounted chassis having side bars that converge toward one another at the forward end of the truck, a load elevating platform having vertical side flanges mounted thereon, pairs of load carrying wheels spaced longitudinally of the truck positioned between the side bars and the vertical flanges, and a sub-frame pivotally connected to the chassis to rock on an axis transverse to the platform, said sub-frame being of substantially spider-like formation and including a central hub, a rear hub and a forward hub, certain of which are provided with cutaway portions adjacent the converging sections of the side bars, and shafts extending through said hubs and supporting the load carrying wheels.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT T. IiOhIINlI. 

